Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,This is the last eMessage for 2016, the next eMessage will be coming out on Thursday, January 5, 2017.​This SATURDAY – December 24 – Christmas EveCome and join us at 6:30 pm on Saturday as we journey in word and song to Bethlehem. This year the service is based around the book “The Christmas Gift,” which is a retelling of the biblical stories of Christ’s birth by Elizabeth Laird and Bettina Paterson. Children are especially welcome at this service as there will be opportunities to take part in a Nativity Tableau (a Christmas Pageant with no lines to memorize or rehearsals) Parts available are angels, shepherds and three magi. No sign up required, just come a bit early so that children can be costumed.

As we have done in the past, the offering at the Christmas Eve Service will be split between the work of Spirt West and the designated project of “No Room In the Inn.” The “No Room in the Inn” Committee is a committee of the Edmonton and District Council of Churches. Each year the committee choses to support an organization in the Capital Region which in some way provides housing or shelter to those in need. This year we will be supporting “A Safe Place” – a shelter for abused women and their children in Sherwood Park.

This is no Service on Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day. There will also be no Service on Sunday, January 1, 2017, New Year’s Day.The first Service of 2017 will be Cinnamon Bun Sunday on January 8, 2017 at 10:30 am.

Please note that the Church office will be closed from Sunday, December 25 to Monday, January 2 inclusive. A voice message on the church phone will provide information for emergency contact during this period.

GLENDALE SCHOOL HOT DOG LUNCHYesterday a number of people from the Church headed over to Glendale School for the annual Spirit West Hot Dog Lunch Each child (and teacher) gets one or two hot dogs (chicken or veggie), a carton of chocolate milk, an orange, and a doughnut. This year some special donations really helped us with the lunch. Below is the text of a thank you note from one of the children in the Grade 3 class.Thank you for the hot dogs. Thank you for the hot dogs. Thank you for the hot dogs for lunch. Your guyses veggie hot dog is so yummy so I took 2 because I love your guyses veggie one. The veggie one is the best one I ever had in my whole life. I wish I can work there right now to help you guys. I think when you guys are hear maybe you are going to have a bright face and a bright smile to make me the happiest in the whole world. You guys are the best cooker in the whole tier world. I wish I can eat the veggie terian hot dog every day but I can’t. Have a very happy Cristmas and a really happy New Year’s.

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS – Final UpdateThe "Hamper Delivery" is tonight Thurs, Dec. 22. Come to the Church between 5:30-6:30 pm. Please call Lori or Bill W. if you have any questions (780-483-6542) We had a very successful “Shopping Trip” last night. The Hampers are ready and so are the gifts. Come help us tonight with the delivery.

CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).

RIDE TO CHURCH?From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)

Spirit West Prayer ChainThe Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508

​Greetings,It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Please take note of the events and programmes outlined below.

This SUNDAY – December 18 – Advent 4This Sunday is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent, it does not have a Latin name, and we are back to blue. Although we light the candle of love, the word that really picks up the meaning of the Sunday is trust. And the “hero” of this Sunday is Joseph. We don’t hear much of Joseph, even in Scripture. He’s around for Mary’s pregnancy and the birth of Jesus. There is reference to him in the story of the twelve year old Jesus in the Temple. Then scripture never speaks of him again. But think about Joseph’s situation. Legend has it that he was somewhat older than Mary. During their betrothal (engagement) Mary comes to Joseph and tells him that she has been visited by an angel and is pregnant. Since we know from Mary’s conversation with the angel, that nothing had “gone on” between Mary and Joseph, we can imagine Joseph’s surprise. He first reaction is to quietly call the engagement off, with no details given to protect Mary’s reputation as much as possible. However, Joseph then has his own encounter with an angel, who clarifies the situation, and says to him, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” Joseph who seems to care for Mary, must also trust God. What does it mean to trust God? Sometimes when we tell others to trust God in a difficult situation, or when we say we are trusting God, what we are meaning is that we are trusting God to make things work out the way we want. But when Joseph trusts God, he knows that his life will be difficult, and certainly not as he had planned. Joseph has to trust that God will accomplish through him, what God wants for the world.The readings for Sunday are Isaiah Isaiah 7:10-16, and Matthew 1:18-25. In the Time for All Ages we will look at being afraid. I have titled the sermon, “Trusting in God”SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH CHRISTMAS CONCERTThe Spirt West United Church Christmas Concert, “Nowell, Now all is well” will be held at the Church on Sunday, December 18 at 6:30 pm. This moving evening of music and word for the whole family will feature our own choir as well as members of the Harp Beat Harp Choir and other guest musicians. See the poster on our Facebook page or website. Bring your friends!

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS - UpdateThanks to the generosity of the Spirit West folk, all the hampers have sponsors, and all the children have gifts. All that is left is the Grocery Shopping and Delivery. If you want to be part of the “Shopping Trip” meet at the Church on Wed, Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm. The "Hamper Delivery" will be on Thurs, Dec. 22 between 5:30-8:30 pm. Please see/call Lori or Bill W. if you have any questions or if you would like to help with this wonderful giving experience.

SERVICES AT SPIRIT WEST FOR THE HOLIDAYSThe last Service of 2016 will be the Christmas Eve Family Service, The Christmas Gift, on Sat., December 24 at 6:30 pm.As we have done in the past, the offering at the Christmas Eve Service will be split between the work of Spirt West and the designated project of “No Room In the Inn.” The “No Room in the Inn” Committee is a committee of the Edmonton and District Council of Churches. Each year the committee choses to support an organization in the Capital Region which in some way provides housing or shelter to those in need. This year we will be supporting “A Safe Place” – a shelter for abused women and their children in Sherwood Park.

The first Service of 2017 will be Cinnamon Bun Sunday on Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 am.There are no Services on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).

RIDE TO CHURCH?From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)Spirit West Prayer ChainThe Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurchOffice hours - Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday

Greetings,As we move through Advent, a number of things are happening at the church. Please take note of the events and programmes outlined below.This SUNDAY – December 11 – Advent 3This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent, and is sometimes called Gaudete Sunday. In the days when the prayers of the day were fixed and in Latin, the introit or “call to worship” for services on this Sunday began “Gaudete in Domino semper,” meaning “Rejoice in the Lord always.” In the time of waiting that is Advent, this Sunday was intended to remind us that though we are waiting for the celebration of Christ’s birth, the Promised One, Jesus has come. Even in our waiting we are in the presence of the Christ, a cause for continual rejoicing. The colour associated with this Sunday is rose (you might call it pink, but in church colours it’s rose.) It is intended to lighten up the darkness of the blue of Advent. This Sunday has also been associated with Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary doesn’t get much air time in churches like ours of the reformed tradition. But this Sunday we will sing together the Magnificat or Song of Mary from the Gospel of Luke. (The title comes from the opening of the Latin version of this passage, “Magnificat anima mea Dominum.” “My soul magnifies the Lord.” It is an amazing proclamation of hope and joy in what God has done and is doing, especially when we consider that it is coming from an unwed pregnant girl, probably in her late teens, who has been told that she will bear the Son of the Most High.The readings for Sunday are Isaiah 35: 1-10, and Matthew 11: 2-11 and will sing, as Mary did, Luke 1: 47-55. In the Time for All Ages we will look at some scenes and come to see that “Something is Missing.” I have titled the sermon, “The Desert Blossoms”.

BISSELL CENTRE WINTER WISH GIVING SUNDAY- This Sunday!This Sunday, Dec. 11 is Giving Sunday. Spirit West’s Giving Sunday (formerly White Gift) has for a number of years been in cooperation with the Bissell Centre. This year Bissell is asking that we share the warmth of our lives by filling a stocking for someone in need. The list of items to go in each stocking is attached and is also available on the back table at the church. You can either pack your gifts in a stocking (available for a dollar at Dollarama stores all throughout the city) or in white plastic bags. The stockings/gifts must be at the church by this Sunday Dec. 11 as they will be delivered to Bissell after church.

SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH CHRISTMAS CONCERTThe Spirt West United Church Christmas Concert, “Nowell, Now all is well” will be held at the Church on Sunday, December 18 at 6:30 pm. This moving evening of music and word for the whole family will feature our own choir as well as members of the Harp Beat Harp Choir and other guest musicians. See the poster on our Facebook page or website. Bring your friends!

CHRISTMAS HAMPERSOur Giving Treefor the food portion of the hampers is located just outside of the office. Please write your name and your pledge amount on one of the stocking ornaments and hang it up on the tree. Names and ages of the children for the gift portion of the hampers will be available this weekend. Please see Lori at the back of the church following service. "Hamper Shopping trip" – Wed, Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm and "Hamper Delivery" - Thurs, Dec. 22 between 5:30-8:30 pm. Please see/call Lori or Bill W. if you have any questions or if you would like to help with this wonderful giving experience.SERVICES AT SPIRIT WEST FOR THE HOLIDAYSThe last Service of 2016 will be the Christmas Eve Family Service on Saturday, December 24 at 6:30 pm.The first Service of 2017 will be Cinnamon Bun Sunday on Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 am.There are no Services on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).RIDE TO CHURCH?From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)Spirit West Prayer ChainThe Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurchOffice hours - Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday

Greetings,Now that we are in Advent, a number of things are happening at the church. Please take note of the events and programmes outlined below.

This SUNDAY – December 4 – Advent 2This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent, and we will be looking at the past. But the questions that are asked of the past are not when or where, but who or what. Who is our past? What is our past? These are more questions of heritage and history. They speak to our roots as people and as a community. In his letter to the Romans, Paul refers back to “whatever was written in former day,” meaning the writings of the Hebrew prophets. Paul is writing to a Roman audience and quotes from the Law and the Prophets using the Greek translation of those writings, the Septuagint, the version used outside of Israel from about the 3rd century BC. But Paul’s references to the Prophets of Israel are used to proclaim that the message and the fulfillment of these works of the past is for all the world in the present. Paul even makes reference to Jesus own heritage and lineage as he refers to the root of Jesse, one of Jesus’ ancestors. Likewise, John the Baptist proclaims a message rooted in the words of the past, but fulfilled in the present. In both these passages, the present and the presence of Jesus can only be fully understood by looking to the past. It is sometimes said that to be fully present in the world we need roots and wings. We need to be rooted and grounded, this is our heritage our tradition. But we also need wings to soar into new and uncharted places. And there is the balancing act of our life as people and as a church, acknowledging and celebrating our heritage while soaring in an ever changing world.The readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 23: 1-6, and Luke 23: 33-43. . In the Time for All Ages I will talk about family traditions “At Christmas we always…,” and I have titled the sermon, “Roots and Wings”

ANTE MERIDIEM CHOIR CONCERTThe Ante Meridiem Choir of Edmonton will be having a Concert on Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 pm at our Church.

SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH CHRISTMAS CONCERTThe Spirt West United Church Christmas Concert, “Nowell, Now all is well” will be held at the Church on Sunday, December 18 at 6:30 pm. This moving evening of music and word for the whole family will feature our own choir as well as members of the Harp Beat Harp Choir and other guest musicians. See the poster on our Facebook page or website. Bring your friends!

BISSELL CENTRE WINTER WISH GIVING SUNDAYFor years United Churches have chosen one Sunday in December as White Gift Sunday. Some of us remember bringing our gifts wrapped in white tissue paper to put under the church Christmas tree. More recently, White Gift Sunday has given way to a Giving Sunday, usually involving an agency working with those in need. Gone are the yards (metres) of white tissue paper, but the gifts remain. Spirit West’s Giving Sunday has been in cooperation with the Bissell Centre. This year we are designating Dec. 11 as Giving Sunday. Bissell is asking that we share the warmth of our lives by filling a stocking for someone in need. The list of items to go in each stocking is attached and is also available on the back table at the church. You can either pack your gifts in a stocking (available for a dollar at Dollarama stores all throughout the city) or in white plastic bags. The gifts must be at the church by Dec. 11 as they will be delivered to Bissell after church on that Sunday.

CHRISTMAS HAMPERSOur Giving Treefor the food portion of the hampers is located just outside of the office. Please write your name and your pledge amount on one of the stocking ornaments and hang it up on the tree. Names and ages of the children for the gift portion of the hampers will be available this weekend. Please see Lori at the back of the church following service. Tentative "Hamper Shopping trip" – Wed, Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm and "Hamper Delivery" - Thurs, Dec. 22 between 5:30-8:30 pm. Please see/call Lori or Bill W. if you have any questions or if you would like to help with this wonderful giving experience.

The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas PartyThe Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party will be held, Mon, Dec 5th at 6:00 pm in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. The suggested amount for dinner is $20 per person. All women are welcome - feel free to bring a friend! There is a sign- up sheet for the evening and money can be paid to Margery Wright. We will have laughs, games and a wacky gift exchange. For those who want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with a value between $15 to $20 maximum (or something homemade!). If you are able to help out with the food or drinks, please see the sign-up sheet at the back

CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).

RIDE TO CHURCH?From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)

Spirit West Prayer ChainThe Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508